Computer DTE (Distance to Empty)...

[jcbrown]

Don't believe your computer for distance to empty. I had 63 miles DTE and the truck stalled on the exit ramp to a TA of America/Flying J exit in Texas. The fuel gauge was still above the red empty mark. I was able to push/coast to diesel pumps and filled with 36+ gallons of diesel. Luckly there was a mechanic on duty that helped me with purging the fuel system. What a PITA. Bright side was there was no charge.



Purging after filling fuel tank:



Fuel filter cover was removed and diesel fuel was added to bowl several times until all air was removed. Three of the fuel injector lines were loosened and purged of air.

 

[jwdeeming]

You might want to have that looked at. I've seen other threads on this subject and find that my truck is pretty typical. I can expect when DTE goes to zero there are 3-5 gallons of fuel still in the tank.



Sorry to hear about the mishap.

JimD

 

[Sregorb]

purge

For my own education... what was involved/required with the purging? How to, if someone was stuck on the road and just added more diesel to dry tank?



Brian

 

[Todd T]

Brian, if you run out of fuel after you fill it back up,



1st. turn the key to start and just "bump" the starter, and let off back to run. (you should hear the transfer pump run for 20 seconds. ) do this 2 or 3 times then try and start the truck.



2nd. if truck still wont start, loosen the Banjo fitting at the injection pump, for the line coming from the filter housing. (just loosen the line, dont remove all the way) then repeat the bump start process until you get fuel coming out of that fitting. retighten and try again to start the truck.



3rd. if truck still wont start, loosen a few fuel lines at the head. (just a couple of the easy ones to get to. ) repeat the bump start until you get fuel at those fittings. try again to restart the truck.



if still no fire keep trying for a few more times, it should light if you have fuel to the head. dont crank too long let the starter rest between. (10-15seconds then rest, each try. )



once the truck starts it will run rough for a minute, don't panic it will smooth out.



FYI: I was always told "there is no excuse for running out of gas, if you have money in your pocket"

 

[Bob Wagner]

good post Todd and I agree with your quote

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

todd



didn't you ever see the sienfield where kramer wants to see how far it will go before it stops?



when my dte hits 0 i still have 4 gallons left.



jim

 

[Briar Hopper]

Running out just ain't no fun. If you like to push your luck,and see how far it'll go, better keep a torque wrench & 19mm crowsfoot wrench in the truck with you, as well as a plastic can in the bed. Over-torquing the fuel lines will get ya leaks like you wouldn't believe, possibly damage the lines and injectors.

 

[Ted Constantine]

I had the same thing happen to me a little over a month ago. Ran out of gas with the gauge above the E by a bit. Previously I had 4-6 gallons in the tank when I hit 0 on the DTE. I have not let it get that low is a while to find out if it was a one time deal.



Ted

 

[LSMITH]

When I hit 0 on the DTE I have about 4 gallons left, takes 30 to fill.

 

[Todd T]

you have to keep in mind how that thing works. one romp from a stop light will throw it off, or sometimes not. it just compares fuel flow to vehicle speed and gives you an estimate.



I go by my trip odometer (on the speedo) at 530miles I start looking for fuel. I have never put more than 30gallons back in



plus who wants to run all that crap off the bottom of their tank through anyway. sucking foamed up hot fuel cant be good on the lift pump either.

 

[K_Arts]

Do you guys know if there is anyway to correct that computer system at all?



In my wifes truck... that comptuter above is wrong on everything except for the compass. All the way from the fuel mileage to the Outside Temp, to the DTE. Guess I truly can say that her overhead console is a piece of Junk!!



Kev

 

[lschultz]

Been there done that. But fellows these trucks do not run on gas.

D I E S E L

 

[JimP]

Trip computer

When I first got my Turbo, I was returning to IL. from a winter in TX,and re-fueled with regular gas by mistake. Luckily, I noticed a difference in price and caught the mistake before I drove off. All time in TX when I got fuel the pump nozzel was alway's green. This Mobile station had green for regular gas and black for diesel.

Needless to say that got my attention, and from then on I make sure it's cetane of 40 and not 87 octane. After about a 2hr wait, I got someone to come and pump out a full tank of fuel. When I re-fueled it held a little over 37 GL for 35GL tank. To get back to the trip computer,mine seems to be real accurate. I have only ran it low a couple times,till the low fuel light came on, it took 9GL and 10GL both times. I plan not to run out of fuel when towing my 5th wheel.





2001 Quad Cab 2500 4X2,3:54 gear,auto

boost,pyro,trans temp. gauge on post

LB,patriot blue & bright silver SLT.

running boards, chrome fender well rings

bed mat, 18K 5th Whl hitch.





JimP:

 

[Happy Camper]

I ignore the computer overhead except to check the temp to see if it is close to freezing for reading the road condition. The first time (and last time I hpe) I ran out of fuel was when I was brand new and was reading over 1/2 tank. New sending unit and 60gal tank that I seldom let it go down less than 1/2 full. JUST SHELL SHOCKED!

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Mine's way off when I have the box turned on

If I drive with the Power Edge 3 light box turned

on (especially when it is in level 3!) the mileage

calculations can be WAY off. The computer shows

much better fuel mileage both instantaneous and

average. I never trust the DTE. When my

low fuel chime alert comes on, usually about 1/8th

tank, I start looking for diesel ASAP.

My average with the "box" turned off is 19 to 20,

and with it on is 22MPG. That is based on highway

driving, not hot-shoeing it around town. I can see

an instant change in the MPG within seconds of

turning the fueling box on or off.



-Chris

 

[rickhans]

Todd T, There is one excuse. If you are driving a gasser, pulling a boat, with a small gas tank, on I70 between Topeka and Denver, late at night, in the winter, when there is only one gas station in 200 miles. That is when you pour the boat tanks with a gas/oil mixture into your tank and blow blue smoke on into Denver. (frying the engine in the process).

 

[RKohn]

It's almost as accurate as the fuel gauge...

I've run the DTE to 0 several times and well below E. Found out that if you stop and start again, I miraculously got another 7 miles DTE. How'd that happen. And only got 30 gal in 1 time.

 

[JTBMC]

I thought we had 40 gallon tanks, Ive never run out of Diesel FUEL but I have pumped in 36 gallons before.

TJ

 

[Wolfgang]

I have seen many posts where someone will say they got one to two MPG better with the EZ than before. Well I see it the other way around. Before I installed the EZ the overhead console usually was off by . 5 MPG to high ( ie consoled showed 20 actually got 20. 5) When I installed my EZ my mileage went down 1 to 2 MPH. My overhead console mileage went up 1 to two miles per gallon but the reality was my mileage got worse (ie console showed 20 actually got 18 to 19). Now my question is are all you guys who say you are getting better mileage with your EZ using your consol or is that calculated mileage

 

[Bob Wagner]

hey Jim Fuller

That seinfeld episode was reran last night



Kramer test driving the audi going past empty then the needle

breaks off



It is a classic episode